WCUP

Quite an assumption on your part. Not looking to bicker, but I was bussed from Cotswold to West Charlotte and am thankful for the education and experience. In fact, when my family moved during my junior year and I was provided an opportunity to switch, I stayed at West Charlotte by choice. At the time we had an excellent AP program and over a 15 year stretch produced more Morehead scholars than any school in the state. Despite my pride, I'm sorry your siblings didn't find a benefit and recognize that no policy is perfect. No one is looking to return to bussing, but when considering the current state as an alternative, I think it created more equitable schools for more children than the current state. I am encouraged by some of the creative solutions found in zones where pairing disparate neighborhood zones (Sedgefield/Dilworth, Cotswold/Billingville) is feasible. Unfortunately there aren't enough scenarios like that to make a large-scale difference in the system. In a way, I think your post proves my point - we are far removed from the time that our collective community saw designing/supporting integrated schools as a core value. I think we (as a community) are worse off for it. You can disagree.

http://www.newsweek.com/2018/03/30/school-segregation-america-today-bad-1960-855256.html This article should be required reading for anyone who has moved to Charlotte and seeks an understanding of the immense pride our community shared for integrated schools and the sadness many share due to their resegregation. The summary of the key events that have contributed to our current state is well documented in the article. I fear it is close to impossible to rekindle the earnest interest in a more equitable education for all of the children in Mecklenburg county.

"Pretty sure," eh? The speed required to jump the curb, breakthrough the brick veneer and frame, and plow through the floral section, bread, card displays, and temporary seafood setup to get to the Harris Teeter lobster tank would be incredible. I just don't see it happening, no matter the mass of the SUV or lead foot of the soccer mom/dad. Perhaps you have them breaking through side of the store, near Greenwich and Randolph/Smashburger? If they hit a ramp (not sure how you see this being implemented), and careened airborne with enough force to crash through the ceiling (I'm thinking over the milk and refrigerated processed meats), perhaps they could slide to the lobster tank? Still, a gamble. Or maybe you're thinking of an intentional lobster tank submersion trip, where a smart car takes less resistance through the automatic doors, then navigates past self checkout, through the pharmacy aisle and only has to plow through the frozen seafood / meat island?

Thanks Spartan. Now I just need an intern to get this done... Seriously though, helpful links and insight.

Not sure if this is the right thread...feel free to move if another spot is better. Can someone help me find trusted data to show the total transportation spending split by state and federal dollars by county in North Carolina over the last 20 years? 10 years? The question comes from interest driven by overheard rants about how Charlotte "gets all the dollars". Any / all information is appreciated that can support or refute the statement "Over the last 20 years, Charlotte has received the majority of funding and new construction projects in the state" One reason I'm particularly interested is I've heard the exact opposite statement made, lamenting "excessive" dollars spent in eastern NC. It's all anecdotal, I'd love to see what story the data supports. Thanks in advance for your help.

Anybody know how the circumstances around the Thirsty Beaver? I want them to stay open forever - is that likely?

Looks awesome. I'll save money by no longer spending $50 each time I go in CM.

I'm just glad SOMEONE is reading! This decision has some big time implications on the future redevelopment in existing neighborhoods in Charlotte IMO...unless I'm missing something. The tree save ordinance hasn't been used a ton (something around 24 times since 2014), but I suspect that if the loophole remained that developers aware of the strategy would have only increased efforts to take advantage. Glad the city council was fairly quick to act.

City Council approved the recommendation 7-1. Check out page 9 of the agenda for some supporting documentation. This is a link to the Zoning Committee recommendation This is a link to the staff analysis. Conversation starts around 1:11 in the meeting. I think this is really big news for the more established neighborhoods that are tired of seeing lots split and cleared under the tree save ordinance.

From what I've heard the planning committee received letters stating similar sentiment to one quoted above and voted to accept the recommendation that the tree ordinance not be used to spit lots in existing neighborhoods beyond what the current zoning allows. Now a city council must decide. A vote is expected to occur at the August 22nd meeting.

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/business/biz-columns-blogs/development/article90412527.html Not sure if this is the right area for this article. Any thoughts on whether this neighborhood group's effort is worthwhile? They are spreading the message: To City Council members: Some of us are very concerned regarding the intensive house building on Wonderwood Dr. The same thing is happening in other parts of the city, but Wonderwood is taking the brunt of this under a “Save the Trees” ordinance. The ordinance was developed to encourage developers of large tracks of land to save 10% of the trees rather than strip-cutting the entire site. If they save the 10% they can reduce the lot size to below what actual zoning requires. The city planning staff has stated that an unintended consequence of the ordinance has been that the developers (it takes only two houses to be a development) have used it to reduce the lot size on previously built sites. We are in an R-3 zoning which among other things, requires a minimum of 70-foot lot widths. Under the tree ordinance the lot width can be reduced to 50 feet, which makes the Wonderwood Dr. and Hunter Lane area especially vulnerable to this because most of the lots are at least 100 feet wide, and with few exceptions, there are not deed restrictions against dividing the lot. According to the planning staff, this tree ordinance has been used 400 times in the city. 20 of those times the ordinance was used to split lots. 9 of those are on Wonderwood Dr. The tree ordinance has allowed developers to change lot widths and set-backs that do not meet R3, or even R4 zoning. Instead, they have to only meet only R5 requirements. The irony for Wonderwood is that the ordinance is not saving trees at all. Instead, because of the cramming of houses onto lots that are smaller than the R3 zoning requires, we are actually losing many more trees. The “tree save” areas are usually located at the back of the lots On one lot the tree save area is actually in a flood zone, which no one would have cut down anyway. Also new houses have been shoved up closer to the street, which means there is virtually no room to replace the trees that have lined the street. So instead of seeing trees as we walk down the street, it is beginning to feel like we are walking down a street lined with apartments. About 5 years ago there were 43 lots on Wonderwood Dr. This tree ordinance has effectively changed almost 25% of the street to R4 and R5 zoning without our having any voice whatsoever in the changing. The planning staff is making a recommendation that existing lot size cannot be changed by using the tree ordinance. We understand the scheduled dates for discussions on this matter are: A public meeting on Monday, July 18th, recommendation to the Zoning Committee on July 27th, and assuming it passes; it will then go the City Council for a decision on August 22nd at 7pm. We are concerned about maintaining a street that everyone has loved largely because of trees, and we are asking for your support to return the tree ordinance to its originally intended purpose to save trees on large tract developments, rather than causing the loss of so many trees in existing neighborhoods. Thank you,

http://www.wsoctv.com/news/local/plan-to-end-i-77-tolls-speeds-through-house-committees/316614644 Looks like they did vote against it in the House.

It's a restoration.

Nice! Any idea of when they will implode? I want to tailgate for it.

How would you have designed it differently? What would have been better?

Does anyone have insight into the timeline for the Publix construction across from Harris Teeter on Randolph Road? I thought the demolition of the office building would be completed by now.

Indeed. I really hope the success of this market leads to increasing interest in walk-able/outdoor options for Cotswold. The fact people enjoy hanging out on the 10x10 pad at Pizza Peel staring at a parking lot or the fenced pen at Leroy Fox is proof of the pent up demand for fun outdoor fun. If somebody found a way to open a bar/restaurant with a shaded patio they would kill in 28211.

I would love to know when they plan to demolish the Cotswold Building. If it's an implosion I want to bring a cooler tailgate set up and make a day of it from the Harris Teeter parking lot.

The bad blood is also related to the landlord's unwillingness to make requested improvements for the tenant. The owner said that by ending his lease he would be forcing them to make improvements that they would otherwise not be forced to make. Not sure if that's how the process works but the relationship soured to the point that the tenant wants to hurt the owners pockets as much as possible. Hate to see it close...one of my favorite spots to meet friends for breakfast. Even had a special designated jacket since you smell like grease after leaving.

Are any of the breweries in planning considering Cotswold locations? Pizza Peel has a decent draft selection but I think an outdoor area to drink beer or even just a bottle shop or craft seller, would do really well in that area. It would be surrounded by neighborhoods of affluent people that like drinking beer that currently have to travel to Southend/NODA. Since Hotel Charlotte left I think there is an opportunity. I think the Thirsty Beaver location across from Lupies is going to do well due to the relative lack of competition for the Cotswold area.

http://charmeck.org/city/charlotte/charlottefuture/CIP/CrossCharlotteTrail/Documents/CountyDestinations_Connections_Crop.pdf On the Cross Charlotte Trail map, I noticed McMullen creek gets a dotted "future" line working it's way northeast from Carolina Place mall, between Carmel and Sharon and eventually between Sharon and Rama up to Monroe Road. 1) Is there any way to check on the timeline/feasibility of this proposed greenway? I'm worried all the snobby homeowners on that path are going to keep it from happening because they are scared of change, people, strangers, life, etc. I would love it if the trolley came down Monroe and I could jump on a bike to get to it on a greenway. Or ride my bike all the way to Pineville. Or just take my dog on a walk. This can't happen soon enough!

Can anyone who is familiar with comparing apartment complexes tell me what is good/bad about the apartments that will go on the Masonic temple lot? I see it is designated as age-restricted. Is this common? A good thing for neighbors? Tell me what to think about this.

I reread the thread and there is mention that the Target is not occurring at Providence and Fairview. I am asking about the Randolph Park apts location near the intersection of Randolph Road and Sharon Amity.

Any update regarding the supposed Target to replace the Randolph Park apartments? I haven't heard anything about it in a while. Curious if that's not happening anymore.